High School Soldier
Business and sources of disappointment

Living with weapons in the midst of heavy field artillery fire that rained down on the defense from waking to sleeping again. The life on the front lines that the Guild forces in the Western Line experienced was extremely boring. The Peace and Guild Forces send a company of marines tasked with defending the coast and Gulf of Horns in amphibious combat, one mixed battalion with infantry and medium tank combat vehicle weapons and a number of ‘Gandiwa’ battle armor systems, the Special Mission Squad dispatched 10 teams including the 12th Team, a portion of the TNI AL fleet, the Special Mission Squad sent out 10 teams including the 12th Team, and the contingent witches Arevelk, Yekirnovo, and Hayvan.

If the Alliance forces that were fighting in the Western Line were lucky, they would only lose ten or twenty soldiers upon waking up. It was lucky to remember that they fought against a mighty Guild. If the Alliance soldiers were to relax in his defensive trenches, he would be crushed by the tank wheels or grilled by the fire throwing weapons. That's why Alliance forces fighting to defend the Kingdom of Salodki must keep their eyes open, their minds healthy, and their mental and physical health. The Guild did rarely put up a fight, except for the Alliance itself starting the hostilities. And, sleepless fighting was dangerous, and it was true for the Alliance who rarely put their troops to sleep in order to obtain a proper time to attack the Guilds position.

The alliance was not yet familiar with tobacco cigarettes, but they gave alcohol to the frontline soldiers. However, after downing the alcohol, the soldier would wake up or move into the enemy's defense unknowingly. If an army loses the ability to control a soldier, it's a bad thing. All the Alliance needed to do was to reduce the alcohol rations for its fighters, and replace them with coffee or sweets.

“He's the fourth victim today. The number of drunken Alliance soldiers attacking was decreasing. Did they really stop drinking his soldiers alcohol?”

After Nio shot dead a drunken Alliance soldier and walked closer to the defense of Team 12 while firing a few shots, he thought the Alliance had understood how healthy ordinary water was. In exchange for alcohol, the Guild troops fighting in the Western Line were given instant coffee and cigarettes even though only a few members of the 12th Team smoked.

Cigarettes and instant coffee were a form of troop attention to fighters on the front lines, although Nio had to grumble because they did not send instant noodles.

Sighs when walking back to the reserve trench, Nio was once again reminded of how tough the one-week battle known as ‘The Alliance's first major siege of the TNI’ Expeditionary Force took place one and a half years ago. He was the only veteran of the TNI's first major battle with the Alliance on the Western Line, but did not suffer the mental stress of a new Indonesian and Russian soldier.

Trench is a cheap practical defense, but life in the trench is quite stressful. Although the Indonesian and Russian contingents had abundant sniper stockpiles, shooting the enemy off guard to kill boredom was a violation. Instead, the troops spent more time lying in the trenches, and relied on the patrol troops for protection.

Witches Arevelk, Hayvan, and Yekirnovo have a lot of leeway. Their job on the East Line is to be a Liaison, so that the imperfect Gate of the East Line can connect with the imperfect Gate on the West Line, thus saving transportation fuel costs.

However, the hardest working are the Navy TNI Marines and Special Mission Squad, especially Team 12.

When the enemy shows threatening movement, they must first advance to stop or reduce the enemy's strength. The alliance had actually utilized their heroes properly, thus obtaining heavy-field artillery of a large caliber. The high-explosive cannonballs they fired were common to enemy troops who chose to defend, aka the Guild. In total, the cannonballs the Alliance fired to this day amounted to a thousand tons. Yet the Guild did not suffer any meaningful losses from their cannon rain.

For the frontline troops who fought directly, there was only blood avenged. Without relying on the Gandiwas, the marines defend the coast with their amphibious fighting vehicles.

Meanwhile, while the Alliance forces were asleep in the damp and muddy trench, Team 12 and the Silent Killer would move in to finish off some soldiers, killing several soldiers, and destroy a number of artillery and machine guns then retreat when the enemy puts up a fight.

When resting, life continues in a comfortable trench. The soldiers can do light activities after getting a rest permit. They practiced, washed clothes, repaired weapons, cooked, and buried the bodies of the Alliance's nearly rotting soldiers. But, their task remains to fight, facing enemies that are increasingly difficult to handle day by day. Although their battle seemed sacrificial, they still received criticism from their respective countries.

The tracer bullets from the heavy machine guns swept through the army of monsters and humans the Alliance had come charging over, defending the troops and trenches.

Of course Nio did not doubt the protection from tank cannons and machine guns.

However, Nio had told the mixed battalion that they should save ammunition. The rear line was very messy, and was only defended by Marines and medium tanks, without any mortar-like field artillery.

Let alone mortars, why did the troops send out so many machine guns to Western Line fighters? As a field officer who had experience in trench warfare, he suspected that the weapons that should have been needed by the troops in the Western Line were left dusty in the warehouse or that they had all been used by Eastern Line fighters. Nio would not let the influential officers do whatever they liked.

Weapon production increased after the war, but the amount of supplies the TNI had in the world was not enough.

Faced with the abundance of light weapons for the infantry, Nio was able to understand a few things. He realized that the arms industry continued to run as long as there was war, even they were able to create war in order to profit from selling weapons.

On the other hand, the number of light weapons for the Western Line troops is inseparable from the budget that makes a number of parties at odds. With a limited budget, then buying a lot of infantry light weapons is the best option, plus a tempting offer from the military industry.

The military industry was also not at a loss even though the TNI only ordered a thousand heavy machine guns for troops to use in the West Line. This is an example of demand and supply in business activities. Seeing the war that turned out to have a favorable side to the contents of the account, Nio imagined starting a private military company business.

“But, supposedly the weapons purchase budget has residual funds. They should at least use the rest of the funds to raise our wages. The ministry has a lot of budget that is only used to buy machine guns and develop new assault rifles. Do they think about the safety and well-being of the soldiers serving in this world? We also want more than just coffee and cigarettes,” Nio is immersed in normal thoughts for the company's slaves.

Then, Nio regained his senses from his daydreams when Sergeant Hasaan reported to him.

“Lettu, we received word if you will lead a platoon now. They want you to return to headquarters to see the platoon's prospective members.”

“New members? I'm gonna lead the platoon? So the headquarters really thought Silent Killer was just voluntary energy,” Nio intended to ask the status of the Silent Killer who had long fought alongside Team 12. He had actually not wanted to rule the unit beyond the squads, but with his current rank he could lead a platoon.

“Hassan, are you sure the platoon's new recruits were placed by accident? Or the message you received turned out to be for someone else?” said Nio.

Hassan replied, “Nothing. Headquarters suddenly sends you a telegram, so no problem.”

The current Nio really did not want to add people to be led and protected. But, Sergeant Hassan handed over a paper containing a message from the telegran to First Lieutenant Nio, meaning the message was completely without any errors.

On the other hand, Nio thinks the sudden addition of personnel is the result of the disappointment of a number of parties who want to comply with disciplinary punishment. The only conclusion Nio got for this was that he was in trouble.

Though I have behaved politely and well, but why did they not release me completely and instead add responsibility for me? I can guarantee the fuckers don't like me, that's how Nio thinks about the problem.

“Oh yes, there is an extra. Command wants us to become instructors for our platoon's new recruits.”

“What?!” Nio kicked his desk violently, leaving Hassan and several members of Team 12 and the Silent Killer to jump in surprise. “Where is the proof if we become a new member instructor?”

“Well, I heard colleagues from the 20th Team say “We heard the 12th Team will become a platoon and train new members, huh?” like that,” Hassan hesitated if the answer could make Nio sleep peacefully.

“Hassan, I think your friend has a very sharp hearing, or maybe he was once a group of mothers? They piss me off,” Nio said in a very clear Javanese accent.

The new recruits candidates for the Nio platoon were probably the new troops that came after the first wave withdrawal for the Indonesian contingent. Nio thought they were people who had not gotten used to the battlefield of this world. This made Nio have to think about how to make new members adapt in a short time in an elite unit such as Team 12.

Nio did not expect that the new recruits would come from among the special forces.

“But, being an instructor? Are we going to train potential new members here?” Hassan snorted after saying that.

A new army on the battlefield is an army with no experience that does not even have the ability to stand in the way of an opponent's attack. Nio wanted to train the new recruits candidates to other places far from the Western Line.

Although Nio hated all the forms that made his work grow, but the command had assigned a new candidate member for him.

Being coach? Nio currently wanted to shout in front of the face of the person who ordered him to do so, and asked if a person like himself was capable of doing so. He himself even took the last position when training Special Student Forces.

As Nio thought about his own problem, Bima excitedly said, “Mantap. I think the commando thinks we can teach the new personnel to fight in this world!”

Bima's passionate sentence provoked some of the other members, and left the Silent Assassins astonished. Hevaz wanted to approach Nio to ask what was really going on, but Nio's dizzy face made him undo the intention. The same thing was almost done Edera, Huvu, and Ebal, but prevented by Ratna if it did not want to have a reprimand from Nio.

The 12th Team and the Silent Assassins while on the Western Line had guarded the entire Guild army here. It means that Nio and his unit are the guards of all the Guild soldiers here, even the marines still need the help of Team 12 in their battle. Witches were the exception, as they were among the class that received special treatment thanks to their important role.

“Yes, we can help those loaders during in this West Line.”

“True. We can play a full role here thanks to Lieutenant Nio.”

Contrary to Nio's expectations, Gita and Agus praised Nio. The young man was lucky to have subordinates who encouraged him. Nio thought he only needed to do as he was told, and see if the new recruits would be worth fighting with Team 12 or not.

“Sorry before, but it looks like Lieutenant Nio's training seems harsh. I can't believe you..”

“What is it, Bima? If you want to say something, say it now.”

“Anu... excuse me..”.

Bima did not continue her words as Nio said the sentence in an unsettling flat tone.

Nio reluctantly braced himself, and forced himself to accept the task.

The reason Nio could not think positively towards the new recruits candidates was because he was aware of the reality.

The TNI repatriated some of its troops from another world, and replaced them with new troops without experience of this world war. They threw new members into a world where one could go mad if one could not endure the misery caused by killing enemies, the continuous sound of cannons and rifles, and shout the suffering of the opponent. Nio did not want the new members to make a fuss when defending in the trenches, putting up a fight despite killing many enemy soldiers, or fighting for trivial reasons. At least, if there were medical staff in the battle, but if the members suddenly panicked and then came forward and fought rashly, Nio did not know what to do.

More importantly, panic is contagious. If one new person's face looked crumpled and messy full of wounds and stains, and then the brave new members started a commotion, Nio had to intervene to deal with those problems. If the new member could not withstand the horrors of the enemy soldiers being killed, then vomiting in any place, then it would make the other members nauseous disgusting. In the worst possibility, Nio might have to order the new members to dig a special hole to contain their vomit.

“Well that's okay, if being an instructor for a new member, we have no choice but to comply. I'll ask with the command. If we are right to teach the new people to fight in this world, we will be very troubled, but we still have to do it. We will exert everything,” Nio said with a lazy face, and responded with a similar expression by his subordinates.